Wedding Wednesday: Honoring Elizabeth Taylor

In honor of Elizabeth Taylor's life and considerable contribution to Hollywood, we are dedicating today's Wedding Wednesday to her many (!!!) fabulous weddings. 

Here is lovely Liz with 1st huband Nicky Hilton (yep, those Hilton's), wearing a $1500 gown given to her by her studio, MGM, as a wedding gift

Liz is a beautiful sensible second-wedding suit, with second husband, Michael Wilding, after their civil ceremony at the Registrar's office in London

Liz with 3rd husband, movie producer, Michael Todd.  The drama of her dress sadly mirrors the drama this marriage would sustain.  He died in a plane crash less than a year after marrying.   Some say that he was the love of her life, even over Richard Burton. 

The drama continues when Liz married and Eddie Fisher just 3.5 hours after his divorce finalizes.  It was also rumored that Eddie was Michael Todd's best pal.  Eddie and Liz married in Las Vegas, Nevada at Temple Beth Sholam in 1959.

Here she is!  These are our two favorite wedding looks of Liz's.  Married twice to Richard Burton, she has said, she would have married him a third time if he asked...

Alas, all marriages do seem to come to an end for Liz.  After Richard, she married husband #6 (7th wedding).  Love the contrast between John Warner's class tuxedo (he was a career politician) and her trendy movie star dress and gorgeous big hair. 

Last and possibly least, husband #7 was Larry Fortensky, whom she met in rehab.  She stunned everyone by marrying a "working man."  He was formerly a construction worker.  Michael Jackson walked Liz down the aisle.   We do love his hair.  Almost rivals Liz's! 

The many weddings (and FASHIONS) of Elizabeth Taylor just serve to further solidify her as one of the great American icons both on-screen and off.   We don't recommend 7 husbands, but if you are going to go that route, do it as well as Liz. 

Rest in Peace, Elizabeth Taylor.

Happy Hour! Sicilan Margarita

Forget those big-as-your-head cheap margaritas that instantly come to mind with just seeing the word TEQUILA.  Thanks to the Skinny Girl Margarita and other positive PR, this liquor has been making a huge comeback!  There any many delicious recipes out there for tequila-based cocktails that will not have you dancing on a bar (well, not immediately). 
We know it sounds kind of aggressive to serve a tequila based cocktail at civilized parties, but FEAR NOT!  We want to share of our very favorite margarita recipes with you “The Sicilian Margarita”.  This yummy cocktail makes a great addition to a rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, or even a baby shower!  The eye-catching pinky-orange color will add a little splash of fun to any decor and the tasty combination of flavors will be extremely memorable for your guests.  Be careful, though, these drinks go down easy and once your guests have had seconds and thirds, dancing on a bar might look enticing afterall.

Ingredients:
3/4 ounces Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
1 1/2 ounces Milagro Silver tequila
1 ounce pink grapefruit juice (fresh-squeezed, if possible)
1/2 ounce  agave nectar
1/2 ounce fresh lime
1/4 ounce Campari


Directions:
Combine ingredients and shake well. Serve over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a flat lime wheel.

Cheers! 

Irish Wedding Blessing

In Honor of St. Patrick's Day, one of our favorite readings:  The Irish Wedding Blessing...

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon the fields.

May the light of friendship guide your paths together.
May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home.
May the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye.
And when eternity beckons,
at the end of a life heaped high with love,
May the good Lord embrace you
with the arms that have nurtured you
the whole length of your joy-filled days

Wedding Wednesday: The Importance of a thank you...

During your engagement and throughout the wedding planning process everyone knows that YOU are the star, but don't forget how thankful you are for your supporting cast. 

Letting someone know you are grateful by saying “thank you” can go a long way, but it isn’t nearly as meaningful as a handwritten note.  In this day and age of email, Facebook, Twitter, and texting, we all know how it feels to know someone appreciated you (or something you did) and took the time to write and tell you so!  It can be easy to remember to write a thank you note for tangible items,  like presents from a shower, but don't forget not all gifts come wrapped up in pretty packages.  If your best friend lends you something special for your wedding day or your co-worker hosts an event on your behalf, it’s important to remember that thoughtfulness and actions are gifts too, and should be treated that way. 

Of course, everyone understands and forgives the busy-bee-bride for forgetting a couple of thank you's here and there, but don't make a habit of it!  Not only because you’ll discover your that well of willing people will start to dry up but because you can also (albeit unknowingly) hurt the gifter’s feelings.  People will want to help you and be flattered that you asked, but do be sure to do your part show to show them how much their kindness meant to you. 

There are so many fun, fabulous and personal thank you notes out there, but here are a few of our favorites:

http://onpaper.stores.yahoo.net/fernthankyou.html  Available locally at On Paper in The Short North, Columbus, OH

http://www.carrotandstickpress.com/collection.htm#fn  Love everything at Carrot and Stick Press based in Oakland, CA!  (Also a favorite of Real Simple magazine)

http://www.noondesignshop.com/papergoods.html  Amazing and adorable designs from Noon Design Shop, based in San Diego.  Met these cute ladies at a show in Vegas and love the quality and innovation. 

Tip: If you are planning to change your last name, don’t forget you should not use your new married initial in your monogram.  Feel free to order your monogrammed thank-you cards early (it's exciting!) but hold off on using them until after you are officially Mrs. X! 

Happy Hour! Grape and Elderflower Fizz

We have been singing Elderflower's praises for years now and it is starting to catch on as the hot new liqueur at parties and weddings.  Here is an amazing recipe that adds another of our favorite flavors (also not used nearly enough in recipes):   GRAPES!  Yum!

Grape and Elderflower Fizz

12 ounces gin, preferably Hendrick's

3 ounces St. Germain elderflower liqueur

9 ounces Concord grape juice

12 ounces club soda (or ginger ale if you prefer a sweeter drink)

3 limes, halved

1 bunch grapes, Concord or red globe, halved and seeded

In a 1 1/2-quart pitcher, combine gin, elderflower liqueur, grape juice, and club soda. Squeeze lime halves over pitcher, and stir. To serve, pour over ice in tall glasses, and garnish each with 4 or 5 grape halves.

If you are serving this at a garden party or wedding reception serve it perhaps in a mason jar with an accent colored straw and a bit of raffia tied around the jar. 

If you are hosting a more formal affair, this can easily be served in a champagne flute or martini glass (with a accent colored sugared rim)!  

Tip: Concord grapes (the most delicious of all grapes) are available only in September and October, which makes them perfect for a fall wedding.

Wedding Wednesday: A List and B List

The advice we are about to impart goes for ANY event you host, however, for the sake of Wedding Wednesday, we are relating this to a wedding guest list. 

Listen carefully:  DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE AN A and B LIST. 

This may seem like a great idea.  What if far fewer plan to attend your wedding than you anticipate?  Then you can invite MORE people!  No!  Don't fall into this line of reasoning and do not let anyone tell you this is a good idea. 

Once your wedding invitations go out (or save the dates for that matter), people will start chattering about them.  "Ohhh!  Love your invitation!  Can't wait for the wedding!" will be posted on your facebook page.  If a guest receives their invitation a month later, they are going to either berate their mailman for being an extremely slow deliverer OR know that they were not initially invited.   This will only lead to hard feelings, guilt, and probably some unnecessary gossip.

It is best to very carefully plan your guest from the start of your engagement (or party planning).  A good rule of thumb is to think "would I like this person to see me get married," "would I wish to be invited to their wedding,"  if you answer yes to either (and definitely to both), then put them on the list. 

Remember, it costs very little to send an invitation.  Your guests will decide if they can attend or not.  You will absolutely be surpised with the guests that RSVP yes and the guests that RSVP no.  The numbers will all work out in the end.  Don't worry! 

CHEERS TO SCOTT AND CINDY!

CHEERS TO SCOTT AND CINDY!

Tomorrow one of our FAVORITE couples of all time is leaving for their fabulous honeymoon.  We know it's going to be fabulous becuase we planned it - we were so flattered that they asked!   We were so lucky to be involved in their wedding planning from soup to nuts. 


Scott and Cindy were so fun to work with partially because they weren't afraid to take risks.  We planned their October South Florida wedding weekend in three months!  The back home reception was held at Scioto Reserve Country Club a month later and our fabulous, bold bride actually chopped her wedding dress to a spectactulor cocktail mini which she wore at the party! 

Cindy and Scott Hennigan hosted an October 22 beach wedding in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  The bride and groom married amongst 50+ of their closest friends and family on the terrace of the W Hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  The ceremony was officiated by a close friend.  Guests enjoyed champagne on the terrace prior to the start of the wedding and kept cool in the Florida sunshine with handheld fans placed on each guest seat.  The fun continued at Steak 954 where the guests enjoyed a 3 course meal overlooking the ocean.  The guests continued the party at Ft. Lauderdale’s hot spot, Whiskey Blue and were wowed by the theatrics of sparklers in their drinks!  Scott and Cindy also hosted a causal fish fry at a local Ft. Lauderdale haunt, Café Blue Fish.

Scott and Cindy continued the celebration back home in Columbus with a 200+ Black and White party at Scioto Reserve Country Club in Powell.  Guests were encouraged to wear black and white and our daring bride chopped her formal wedding gown into a cocktail mini for the occasion.  She completed the look with black accessories.  Guests dined on fun comfort foods and a favorite of the evening was the mashed potato martini bar.  Guests departed from the evening with a favor box filled with homemade cookies from the traditional Italian cookie table made by the bride’s mom. 

With a Little Help from our Friends:

Ft. Lauderdale Wedding

October 22, 2010

Dress:  Paloma Blanca, Alan Ray Bridal

Ceremony:  W Ft. Lauderdale Terrace

Reception:  Steak 954

After-Party:  Whiskey Blue

Grooms Attire:  Custom made from Ticnors

Photographer:  Sarah Bray Photo

Wedding Planner:  Adrianne Elizabeth LLC

Rings:  The Diamond Cellar

Welcome gift:  Beach survival tote including designer towels, Maui Babe sunscreen, FIJI water (brides favorite) Custom made Hennigan Beach tee by local t-shirt designer, Badcock Apparel

Shoes:  Jimmy Choo, Saks

Columbus Reception (Black and White Affair)

November 20, 2010

Venue:  Scioto Reserve Country Club

Dress: Alan Ray (shortened to a party mini)

Favor:  Traditional Italian cookie table made by bride’s mom and friends, black and white “to go” boxes

DJ:  Jimmy Sexton

Photo Studio:  Photo Booth Live

Cupcake Cake:  The Cake Studio

Floral Design:  Rose Bredl

Photographer:  Patrick McColgan

Event Planner: Adrianne Elizabeth LLC

Hair and Makeup:  J. Bentley

Here is a little flashback to Scott and Cindy's Wedding weekend in FL and their Columbus reception.   We just love them soooooo much!!!